Dr Mark Garnett

Senior Lecturer

Research Overview

My research is chiefly concerned with UK Politics, with particular reference to the relationship between ideas and practice; the Conservative Party; and think tanks. I am currently working on books concerning British Foreign Policy (with Simon Mabon and Robert Smith), and the coalition government (with Pete Dorey).

Current Teaching

Research Interests

Mark Garnett arrived at Lancaster in September 2006, having previously taught Politics at several other universities including Leicester, Bristol and Exeter. His main research interests are:

The interplay between political ideas, personalities, institutions and 'events';

Political ideologies (particularly conservatism);

British think-tanks;

Political culture in Britain since 1970.

Among a series of deviations from academic life, in 1997-8 he worked as a political researcher to the late Sir Edward Heath, and helped to prepare his memoirs. He is a frequent contributor to the electronic media, including Newsnight and a host of Radio 5 programmes. He has also contributed to many respected newspapers and journals, including the Guardian, Politics Review, Times Literary Supplement, the New Statesman and Viz comic.

His major study of contemporary British political culture, From Anger to Apathy: The British Experience, 1975-2005,was published by Jonathan Cape in 2007. Another book, Conservative Thinkers (co-written with Kevin Hickson)was published by Manchester University Press in 2009.

' ....sets a new standard for political biography' - John Gray, New Statesman, 23 April 2001.

'...this scholarly and percipient biography by two young and very able historians - essential reading for all students of recent Conservative history' - Lord Blake, Times Literary Supplement, 22 June 2001.

' .... a model political biography. The accounts of his career and his character are alike totally convincing, and so is their assessment of British Conservative Party history' - James Downey, Irish Independent.

'A vivid and sympathetic portrait... Willie's shrewdness is reflected in his choice of biographers... They write admirably, using full English sentences, and don't hesitate to pause and tease out an argument when it seems worthwhile' - Douglas Hurd, Daily Telegraph.

' ...such verve and cogency in this magnificently provocative book.. This is a serious, thoughtful, intelligent and convincing account of the decline and fall of a once-great party... It is as well argued as it is well written'- - David Cannadine, Independent on Sunday, 19 October 1997.

'... an excellent postwar history of the Conservative Party' - Patrick Seyd, Political Quarterly, 1998.